Literary Terms

1. Hyperbole
a. A hyperbole is an exaggerated claim or statement used rhetorically or to
emphasize a point. Hyperboles are not meant to be taken literally as they are often
dramatic but they are important literary devices as they create strong impressions
on a subject matter.
J.D. Salinger uses hyperboles in nearly every chapter of ​The Catcher in the Rye ​for a
multiple amount of reasons. Using hyperbole in this novel not only gives a scene more weight
and dramatic but they also allow Salinger to explore the character, Holden’s, childish side as he
exaggerates everything. In this specific example Holden’s roommate goes out with his childhood
friend and it leads to Holden angrily trying to fight him, “He kept holding onto my wrists and I
kept calling him a sonuvabitch and all, for around ten hours.” (Salinger 49). At this point of the
fight, Holden has no way of beating his stronger roommate who was never interested in fighting
Holden. Despite knowing this, Holden is still so enraged that he yells at him while he is being
physically held down. Holden’s persistence to stay down and yell at him for “around ten hours”
shows how enraged he became-unwilling to be compassionate and forgiving. This device is
important because it emphasizes how long Holden was yelling at his roommate as well as insight
to how it felt to Holden.
2. Simile
a. Definition: Similar to a metaphor, a simile compares two different to build an
understanding of one. However, unlike a metaphor, a simile is often explicit with
its connection. Similes often use descriptors- “like” or “as”.
A simile used in ​The Catcher in the Rye i​ s,​ ​“I certainly began to feel like a prize horse’s
ass, though, sitting there all by myself,” (Salinger 96). Holden says this when he is at a bar by
himself, people watching to feel less lonely. He surrounds himself around people to feel fulfilled
and around company, yet he keeps to himself unwilling or wanting to socialize. Instead Holden
studies, mocks, and critics the people around him until he suddenly calls himself a “prize horse’s
ass”, sitting all alone. When he compares himself to the horse he is essentially calling himself an
idiot. Like a prized horse’s ass, Holden feels pretty useless and stupid- ultimelty realizing how
foolish he is sitting alone at a bar with nothing to do.
3. Metonymy
a. Definition: A metonymy is used to substitute the name of an object with
something related to it. Instead of a direct part of the object or thing, a metonymy
can be something closely associated with it.
A metonymy in ​The Catcher in the Rye i​ s used when Holden addresses older women at a
bar. He states, “I started giving the three withces at the next table the eye again. That is, the
blonde one.” (Salinger 78) Holden does not know their name and so he substitutes the names of
the women with things like, “​witches”​ because of their older age and ​“the blonde” a​ s the prettier
one. The narrator's use of these insulting and demeaning metonymies shows his disrespect
towards the women- showing he thinks less of them.
4. Personification
a. Definition: Personification, is figurative writing that gives a non-living thing
human characteristics conveying ideas and objects to people as well as allowing
authors to liven up their writing.
Another literary term used in the novel is personification when Holden says,“old Spencer
had on this very sad, ratty old bathrobe,” (Salinger 10). At this point in the novel Holden is
kicked out of school and decides to meet with his old retired teacher, Spencer. When he goes to
meet with him everything in his house seems depressing, dull, and aged, actively reflecting
Holden’s fears of growing old. When Holden describes Spencer’s robe as “very sad” and “ratty”,
he is further creating a
5. Imagery
a. Definition: Imagery is descriptive writing that allows readers to visualize the
authors writing in more depth. Imagery makes use of the reader’s five senses to
further enhance the reader’s experience.
In this final literary term, Salinger uses imagery in, “The thing that was descriptive about it,
though, was that he had poems written all over the fingers and the pockets and everywhere. In
green ink.” (Salinger 43). In this scene Holden is talking about his brothers baseball mitt and the
poems he has written on them. When tasked to write about descriptive items or things the mitt
first comes to mind as it has such significance to him. The narrator chooses to use visual imagery
in this section to make the audience familiar with this mitt, why it is special, and who it belongs
too. Which is why when Holden says, “He’s dead now” immediately after all the lovely imagery
it becomes shocking and unexpected, emphasizing reality much more.